Phase-coherent in-line VCSEL array with slider post-mount for HAMR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface (MFS), a top surface opposite the MFS, a trailing surface adjacent to the top surface, and an optical grating disposed on the trailing surface. A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device is attached to the trailing surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the optical grating. A magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide is disposed on the trailing surface of the slider. The VCSEL device can emit multiple phase-coherent laser beams onto the optical grating. The optical grating can direct the emitted laser beams at approximately 90 degrees relative to the waveguide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non - Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 230,018, filed on August 3, 2023, entitled "Phase - Coherent In - Line VCSEL Array with Slider Trailing Mount for HAMR", and for all purposes, incorporates the entire content thereof herein by reference, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 523,839, filed on June 28, 2023.

[0002] (Field of the Invention) Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording heads for magnetic media drives.

Background Art

[0003] The core of computer functions and capabilities lies in the storage and writing of data to data storage devices such as magnetic media drives (e.g., hard disk drives (HDDs)). The amount of data processed by computers is increasing rapidly. To improve the functions and performance of computers, an improvement in the recording density of magnetic recording media is required.

[0004] To achieve a high recording density such that the recording density of the magnetic recording media exceeds 2 Tbit / in 2 the width and pitch of the write tracks are narrowed, and thus the width corresponding to the magnetic recording bits encoded in each write track is narrowed. One of the challenges in narrowing the width and pitch of the write tracks is to reduce the surface area of the main pole of the magnetic recording write head on the media - facing surface (MFS). When the main pole becomes smaller, the recording field also becomes smaller, limiting the effectiveness of the magnetic recording write head.

[0005] Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) are two types of energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) techniques for improving the recording density of magnetic recording media. In HAMR, a laser source is placed next to or near the writing element of the magnetic recording write head to generate heat. For example, the laser source excites a near-field transducer (NFT) to generate heat at the writing location of the magnetic recording media. The laser source is often placed on top of the slider, adding extra height to the magnetic recording assembly. Therefore, the increased height increases the spacing between disks in the magnetic recording assembly, limiting the amount of disk space and negatively impacting the drive capacity.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved HAMR magnetic media drives in this technical field. [Overview of the project]

[0007] The present invention relates to the pretreatment of a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic medium drive. The magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider having a medium-facing surface (MFS), a top surface located opposite the MFS, a rear edge surface located adjacent to the top surface, and an optical grating located on the rear edge surface. A vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device is mounted on the rear edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the optical grating. The magnetic recording head is located on the rear edge surface of the slider and comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The VCSEL device can emit multiple phase-coherent lasers onto the optical grating. The optical grating can direct the emitted lasers at approximately 90 degrees relative to the waveguide.

[0008] In one embodiment, the magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface, an upper surface opposite to the medium-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a fronting edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface, and an optical grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider and disposed on the optical grating; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider.

[0009] In another embodiment, the magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface, an upper surface opposite to the medium-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface, an optical grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the optical grating; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider and capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head having a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface, an upper surface opposite to the medium-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a fronting edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface, an optical grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the optical grating; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, comprising a first contact pad disposed on the front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface of which faces the trailing edge surface of the slider, and a VCSEL array disposed adjacent to the first contact pad, comprising a VCSEL array including a plurality of laser apertures, which can emit a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser apertures; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] To allow for a more detailed understanding of the above-mentioned features of this disclosure, a more specific description of this disclosure, which has been briefly summarized above, can be made by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and should not be considered to limit its scope, as this disclosure may allow for other equally valid embodiments. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of a magnetic media drive including a HAMR magnetic write head. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional side view of a HAMR write head facing a magnetic disk. [Figure 3A] This shows a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B] This shows a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 3C] This shows a VCSEL device for a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 3D] This shows a VCSEL device for a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment.

[0012] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used wherever possible to indicate identical elements common to the drawings. Elements disclosed in one embodiment are intended to be usefully utilized in other embodiments without further notice. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following refers to embodiments of the Disclosure. However, it should be understood that the Disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, any combination of the following features and elements is intended to implement and practice the Disclosure, whether or not it relates to a different embodiment. Furthermore, embodiments of the Disclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and / or the prior art, but whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment does not limit the Disclosure. Accordingly, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative and should not be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly stated in the claims. Similarly, references to “the Disclosure” should not be interpreted as a generalization of the subject matter of any invention disclosed herein and should not be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly stated in the claims.

[0014] The present invention relates to the pretreatment of a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic medium drive. The magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider having a medium-facing surface (MFS), a top surface located opposite the MFS, a rear edge surface located adjacent to the top surface, and an optical grating located on the rear edge surface. A vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device is mounted on the rear edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the optical grating. The magnetic recording head is located on the rear edge surface of the slider and comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The VCSEL device can emit multiple phase-coherent lasers onto the optical grating. The optical grating can direct the emitted lasers at approximately 90 degrees relative to the waveguide.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a particular embodiment of a magnetic medium drive 100 including an energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) write head, such as a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) or microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) write head. Such a magnetic medium drive may be a single drive / device or may include multiple drives / devices. For ease of explanation, a single disk drive 100 according to one embodiment is shown. The disk drive 100 includes at least one rotatable magnetic recording medium 112 (often referred to as a magnetic disk 112) supported on a spindle 114 and rotated by a drive motor 118. The magnetic recording on each magnetic disk 112 is in the form of any preferred pattern of data tracks, such as an annular pattern of concentric data tracks (not shown) on the magnetic disk 112.

[0016] At least one slider 113 is positioned near the magnetic disk 112. Each slider 113 supports a head assembly 121 which includes one or more read heads and one or more write heads, such as a HAMR write head. As the magnetic disk 112 rotates, the sliders 113 move radially inward and outward above the disk surface 122 so that the head assembly 121 can access different tracks on the magnetic disk 112 to which the desired data is written. Each slider 113 is attached to an actuator arm 119 by a suspension 115. The suspension 115 provides a small spring force that biases the slider 113 toward the disk surface 122. Each actuator arm 119 is attached to an actuator 127. The actuator 127, as shown in Figure 1, may be a voice coil motor (VCM). The VCM includes a coil that is movable in a fixed magnetic field, and the direction and speed of the coil movement are controlled by a motor current signal supplied by a control unit 129.

[0017] During operation of the disk drive 100, the rotation of the magnetic disk 112 generates an air bearing between the slider 113 and the disk surface 122, which acts an upward force or lift on the slider 113. Thus, the air bearing counteracts the slight spring force of the suspension 115, and during normal operation, supports the slider 113 slightly above the disk surface 122, at a small, substantially constant distance from the disk surface 122.

[0018] The various components of the disk drive 100 are controlled by control signals generated by the control unit 129, such as access control signals and internal clock signals. Typically, the control unit 129 comprises a logic control circuit, storage means, and a microprocessor. The control unit 129 generates control signals to control various system operations, such as drive motor control signals on line 123 and head position and seek control signals on line 128. The control signals on line 128 provide a desired current profile for optimally moving and positioning the slider 113 to a desired data track on the magnetic disk 112. Write and read signals are communicated to and from the head assembly 121 via the recording channel 125. A particular embodiment of the magnetic media drive in Figure 1 may further include a plurality of media, or disks, a plurality of actuators, and / or a plurality of sliders.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a particular embodiment of a cross-sectional side view of a HAMR write head 230 facing a magnetic disk 112. The HAMR write head 230 may correspond to the read / write head assembly 121 described in FIG. 1 or a portion of a recording head used in other magnetic media drives. The HAMR write head 230 includes a media facing surface (MFS) such as an air bearing surface (ABS) or a gas bearing surface (GBS) facing the disk 112. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic disk 112 and the HAMR write head 230 move relative to each other in the direction indicated by arrow 282 (the direction needs to be changed).

[0020] The HAMR write head 230 includes a main pole 236 disposed between a front return shield 234 and a rear return shield 238. The main pole 236 can include a main pole tip 237 at the MFS. The main pole tip 237 may or may not include a front taper and / or a rear taper. A coil 260 around the main pole 236 excites the main pole tip 237 to generate a write magnetic field for affecting the magnetic medium of the rotatable magnetic disk 112. The coil 260 can be a spiral structure or one or more sets of pancake structures. The front return shield 234 and / or the rear return shield 238 can act as return poles of the main pole 236.

[0021] The magnetic disk 112 is positioned adjacent to or under the HAMR write head 230. The magnetic field generated by the current in the coil 260 is used to control the magnetization direction of bits in the magnetic disk 112.

[0022] The HAMR write head 230 includes a structure for heating the magnetic disk 112 in proximity to where the main pole tip 237 applies a magnetic write field to the storage medium. The waveguide 242 is positioned between the main pole 236 and the front shield 234. The waveguide 242 may include a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer. The waveguide 242 conducts light from a light source 278 of electromagnetic radiation, which can be, for example, ultraviolet, infrared, or visible light. The light source 278 may be, for example, an edge-emitting laser diode (EELD) or a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device, a laser diode, or other suitable laser light source for directing a light beam into the waveguide 242.

[0023] Various techniques known for coupling the light source 278 to the waveguide 242 may be used. For example, the light source 278 may function in combination with an optical fiber and external optics for directing a light beam into the waveguide 242. Alternatively, the light source 278 may be attached to the waveguide 242, and the light beam may be directly coupled to the waveguide 242 without the need for an external optical configuration. When the light beam is coupled to the waveguide 242, the light propagates through the waveguide as the medium moves relative to the HAMR write head 230, as indicated by the arrow 282, heating a portion of the medium.

[0024] The HAMR write head 230 may include a near-field transducer (NFT) 284 to concentrate heat near the end of the waveguide 242. The NFT 284 is positioned in or adjacent to the waveguide 242, either near or within the MFS. Light from the waveguide 242 is absorbed by the NFT 284, exciting a surface plasmon. The surface plasmon moves along the outside of the NFT 284 toward the MFS, concentrating a charge at the tip of the NFT 284, which then capacitively couples to the magnetic disk, heating a precise area of ​​the magnetic disk 112 by Joule heating. One possible NFT 284 for the HAMR write head is a lollipop design with a disk portion and a peg extending between the disk and the MFS. The NFT 284 absorbs heat from waveguide light that could adversely affect the reliability of the HAMR write head 230. The surrounding metal is used as a heat sink to minimize temperature.

[0025] Optical power from an external coherent light source (i.e., EELD, surface-emitting diode laser, VCSEL device, or fiber-coupled diode laser) is coupled to the PLC of a HAMR head slider via an SSC or mode converter. The basic design concept is to match the mode profile of both the incident light source and the PLC at the coupling interface, thereby maximizing the overall coupling efficiency.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a typical configuration of a HAMR recording head, while Figures 3A and 3B show a magnetic recording head assembly 300 in which the VCSEL array is mounted on the trailing edge of the slider, according to one embodiment. Figure 3A shows a view of the trailing edge surface 302b of the magnetic recording head assembly 300, and Figure 3B shows a top view of the magnetic recording head assembly 300. Figures 3C and 3D show a VCSEL device 304 of the magnetic recording head assembly 300 in one embodiment. Figure 3C shows the front or output surface 304a (or slider-facing surface) of the VCSEL device 304, and Figure 3D shows the rear surface 304b (or suspension tab-facing surface) of the VCSEL device 304. The magnetic recording head assembly 300 may be used in combination with the HAMR write head 230 of Figure 2, and may correspond to a portion of the recording head used in the read / record head assembly 121 described in Figure 1 or other magnetic media drives.

[0027] As the slider 302 and magnetic recording head 314 move over a rotating medium such as a disk, one side of the slider 302 leads or passes over the medium, and the opposite side follows or passes over the medium last. As used herein, the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 refers to the side of the slider 302 that passes over the medium last. The magnetic recording head 314 may incorporate elements of the HAMR head 230 in Figure 2. However, unlike the light source 278 in Figure 2 which is mounted on the top surface of the slider, Figures 3A to 3D show a VCSEL device 304 mounted on this trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302. Referring further to Figure 3A, the slider 302 comprises a top surface 302a located opposite the MFS, a front edge surface located adjacent to the top surface 302a, a trailing edge surface 302b located opposite the front edge surface, and a medium-facing surface located opposite the top surface 302a.

[0028] The magnetic recording head assembly 300 includes a slider 302, which has a plurality of contact pads 308, such as 2 to 32 contact pads, located on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 (adjacent to the upper surface 302a), for contacting or connecting to a suspension (not shown; the suspension may be the suspension 115 in Figure 1). The slider 302 is made of, for example, ceramic. Each contact pad 308 has a first width 320 of about 25 μm or more, and the spacing 321 between adjacent contact pads 308 is about 32 μm. The aforementioned values ​​are not limiting and are intended to illustrate examples of embodiments. A heat sink contact pad or stud 306 is located adjacent to the contact pads 308. The heat sink contact pad 306 may have the same width 320 as the contact pads 308, or it may be spaced 321 away from adjacent contact pads 308. These contact pads provide electrical connection points for the disk drive circuitry to power and control the magnetic recording head on the slider. The contact pads connect to a routed electrical path through the disk drive suspension.

[0029] The optical grid 310 is positioned between the heat sink stud 306 and the contact pad 308. The optical grid 310 may also be part of a planar optical circuit (PLC). In some embodiments, the optical grid 310 is positioned on the core material of the waveguide 242, such as Ta2O5 or Nb2O5. The recording head 314 is positioned on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302, as shown in Figure 3B. The dotted box indicates where the VCSEL device 304 is mounted on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302, as shown in Figure 3B. The VCSEL device 304 is positioned on and aligned with the heat sink stud 306 and the grid 310, as will be further described below. The grid 310 is coupled to the waveguide 242 of the recording head 314, and the waveguide 242 is coupled to the NFT 284 of the recording head 314. The NFT 284 is positioned on the MFS, as described above in Figure 2.

[0030] The optical grating 310 directs the optical output from the coherent VCSEL array 312 into the waveguide 242. The grating 310 includes a high refractive index dielectric material having a repeating diffraction pattern that redirects the light from the VCSEL array 312, redirecting or directing the light by about 90 degrees into the waveguide 242 (i.e., in the -y direction). The grating 310 may be curved and / or blazed (e.g., wedge-shaped) to couple the laser output of the VCSEL array 312 into the tapered waveguide 242. The period of the optical grating 310 coincides with half the effective wavelength of the light, as is known in the art. The waveguide 242 then directs the light from the grating 310 into the NFT 284 of the MFS.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3B, the VCSEL device 304 is attached to the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 via the first electrode of the contact pad 316. The first electrode, or contact pad 316, is positioned adjacent to the coherent VCSEL array 312 on the front surface of the VCSEL device 304 or on the recording head-facing surface 304a, as shown in Figure 3C. The first contact pad 316 is attached to a heat sink stud 306 to draw heat from the VCSEL array 312 to the ceramic slider 302. The first contact pad 316 may have the same width 320 as the contact pad 308. The heat sink stud 306 is positioned on the magnetic recording head 314 (shown here as a rectangle to represent the various layers of the recording head 314). The VCSEL array 312 aligns with the grid 310 to output light to the grid 310. Waveguides 242 and NFT 284 are located below the grid 310 in the -y direction (e.g., towards the page) and are therefore not shown in Figure 3B.

[0032] The VCSEL device 304 further comprises a second contact pad or electrode 318a and a third contact pad or electrode 318b located on the back surface 304b of the VCSEL device 304, as shown in Figure 3D. The back surface 304b is opposite the front surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304. The second contact pad 318a and the third contact pad 318b, like the multiple contact pads 308, are each connected to a suspension and to the laser diode of the VCSEL array 312, allowing current to flow through the laser diode. The second contact pad 318a is further connected to the laser substrate, and the third contact pad 318b is isolated from the laser substrate (or vice versa). Rather, the third contact pad 318b extends through the VCSEL device 304 to connect to the laser diode of the VCSEL array 312 in order to excite the laser of the VCSEL array 312. The current return path is the path to the laser substrate and the contact pad 318a. The second and third contact pads 318a and 318b may have the same dimensions and spacing as the plurality of contact pads 308.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3C, the VCSEL array 312 comprises multiple apertures 322 from which multiple lasers are output to the grating 310. The multiple apertures 322 of the VCSEL array 312 are linear. The number of apertures 322 corresponds to the number of lasers in the VCSEL array 312. Although four apertures 322 are shown, the VCSEL array 312 may have any number of apertures 322, from 2 apertures and lasers to 32 apertures and lasers. Each aperture 322 has a size of approximately 1 μm to approximately 10 μm. Each aperture 322 is spaced approximately 2 μm to approximately 20 μm in the x-direction from adjacent apertures 322. The output laser power per aperture 322 is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW. The optical output from the VCSEL apertures 322 is coherent and in phase (for example, the output light appears to be a single beam).

[0034] The laser outputs from the VCSEL array 312 are all in phase and do not exhibit mode hopping, rather than being, for example, 180 degrees out of phase (i.e., 0 degrees out of phase). Furthermore, each of the multiple lasers emitted by the VCSEL array 312 operates at the same frequency and is phase-coherent. Each of the multiple lasers has a single-mode output and a defined polarization direction. Each of the multiple lasers has an active region (e.g., a region where the laser excites electrons). These active regions are spaced close enough to allow coupling and phase coherence to occur.

[0035] By mounting the VCSEL device 304 on the rear edge surface 302b of the slider 302, the overall height of the magnetic recording head assembly 300 is reduced, thus reducing the spacing between disks, potentially increasing the number of disks, and thus increasing the HDD capacity. Furthermore, when the VCSEL chip is mounted on the top surface of the slider, side electrodes are often used to connect to the suspension. However, side electrodes or contacts increase the complexity and cost of the VCSEL chip. By mounting the VCSEL device 304 on the rear edge surface 302b, electrodes or contact pads 316, 318a, 318b are only required on the rear 304b and front 304a of the VCSEL device 304. Therefore, mounting the VCSEL device 304 on the rear edge surface 302b of the slider 302 reduces the complexity and cost during manufacturing, while simultaneously reducing the height of the magnetic recording head assembly 300, reducing the spacing between disks, and increasing the capacity of the magnetic recording drive.

[0036] VCSELs offer several significant advantages for use as a light source in HAMRs. The edge-emitting laser diodes (EELDs) used are typically mounted on a submount because it is difficult to directly bond the edge-emitting facets of the laser to the top of the slider. This submount is then bonded to the slider. VCSELs can easily have bonded electrodes on their surface-emitting surfaces that coincide with corresponding electrodes on the trailing edge of the slider. When used with a grating, this allows light to be emitted from the trailing edge onto the grating, which then directs the light into the waveguide at a 90-degree angle. These electrodes can be bonded together by laser-assisted solder reflow and can also function as electrical connections for energizing the laser.

[0037] Because submounts are not required, light source costs can be significantly reduced. VCSEL laser facets are fabricated using wafer-level processes, further reducing costs compared to EELDs. The VCSEL output beam is also larger and more circular than that of EELDs, increasing alignment tolerance and coupling efficiency to the slider spot size converter. VCSELs are known to be more reliable than EELDs due to their larger, lower-intensity optical modes and wafer-facet process. As a result, VCSELs do not require burn-in during manufacturing, further reducing costs. The cavity length of VCSELs is shorter than that of EELDs, and the laser is mounted on the trailing edge of the slider, resulting in a lower overall height, narrower spacing between disks, potentially increasing the number of disks and thus increasing HDD capacity.

[0038] Furthermore, VCSELs achieve mode-hop-free operation due to their extremely short cavity length with a single longitudinal mode and DBR mirror selectivity, whereas mode hopping occurs in EELDs. Mode hopping can cause sudden small (typically 1-2%) changes in laser power during the recording process. This requires considering the possibility of track width changes and bit shifts, reducing HDD capacity.

[0039] The main technical problem with VCSELs is their relatively low output power for EELD. While multimode VCSELs can have higher output power than single-mode VCSELs, single-mode operation is required by the waveguide and NFTs used to generate thermal spots within the disk for HAMR. Single-mode VCSELs typically have a maximum output power of only about 2mW, far short of the 10mW–20mW required for HAMR. Due to inter-wavefront decoherence, it is not possible to efficiently increase the output by combining the outputs from multiple separate VCSELs. If the active regions of adjacent VCSELs are very close to each other, the wavefunctions overlap sufficiently to generate coupling and phase coherence between their outputs. With the correct VCSEL design and optical delivery scheme, these outputs can be combined into a single waveguide with the required 5mW–10mW single-mode power needed by the NFTs for HAMR.

[0040] In one embodiment, the magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface, an upper surface opposite to the medium-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a fronting edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface, and an optical grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider and disposed on the optical grating; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider.

[0041] A VCSEL device can emit multiple phase-coherent lasers. The VCSEL device can emit multiple lasers onto an optical grating through multiple laser apertures. The output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to 10 mW, and the number of laser apertures ranges from 2 to 32. The magnetic recording head comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The waveguide extends from the top surface of the magnetic recording head to the NFT, which is positioned on the media-facing side. The optical grating can direct the optical output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide by approximately 90 degrees. The magnetic media drive comprises the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0042] In another embodiment, the magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface, an upper surface opposite to the medium-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface, an optical grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the optical grating; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider and capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head having a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0043] The optical grating can direct the optical output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide by approximately 90 degrees, and the waveguide can direct the output light to the NFT. The VCSEL device comprises a front surface facing the rear edge of the slider and a rear surface opposite the front surface, with a first contact pad and a VCSEL array located on the front surface and a second and third contact pad located on the rear surface. The first contact pad is connected to a heat sink stud, the VCSEL array is aligned with the optical grating, and the second contact pad is connected to the VCSEL array. The slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads on its rear edge, the width of which is the same as the width of the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. The slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads, the spacing between at least two of the slider contact pads is substantially equal to the spacing between the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. Multiple lasers operate at the same frequency, and the multiple lasers are emitted through multiple laser apertures, which are arranged in a linear fashion. Each laser aperture has a size of approximately 1 μm to 10 μm, and the output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to 10 mW. Each laser aperture is spaced approximately 2 μm to 20 μm apart from adjacent laser apertures. The magnetic media drive includes a magnetic recording head assembly.

[0044] In yet another embodiment, the magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a medium-facing surface, an upper surface opposite to the medium-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a fronting edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface, an optical grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the optical grating; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, comprising a first contact pad disposed on the front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface of which faces the trailing edge surface of the slider, and a VCSEL array disposed adjacent to the first contact pad, comprising a VCSEL array including a plurality of laser apertures, which can emit a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser apertures; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0045] The first contact pad is connected to a heat sink stud, and the VCSEL array is aligned with the optical grating. The optical grating can direct the optical output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide by approximately 90 degrees, and the waveguide can direct the output light to the NFT. Multiple lasers operate at the same frequency, and the output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW. Multiple laser apertures are arranged linearly, and the number of laser apertures ranges from 2 to 32. The magnetic medium drive includes a magnetic recording head assembly.

[0046] While the foregoing is intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from its basic scope, the scope of which is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic recording head assembly, It is a slider, The media-facing surface and, The upper surface opposite to the media-facing surface, The rear edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, The front edge surface opposite to the aforementioned rear edge surface, A slider comprising an optical grating disposed on the rear edge surface, A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, comprising a VCSEL device arranged on the optical grating, The slider comprises a magnetic recording head positioned on the rear edge surface of the slider, The VCSEL device is a magnetic recording head assembly capable of emitting multiple phase-coherent lasers.

2. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting the plurality of lasers onto the optical grating through the plurality of laser apertures.

3. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 2, wherein the output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW, and the plurality of laser apertures are 2 to 32 apertures.

4. A magnetic recording head assembly, It is a slider, The media-facing surface and, The upper surface opposite to the media-facing surface, The rear edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, The front edge surface opposite to the aforementioned rear edge surface, A slider comprising an optical grating disposed on the rear edge surface, A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, comprising a VCSEL device arranged on the optical grating, The slider comprises a magnetic recording head positioned on the rear edge surface of the slider, The magnetic recording head assembly comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide, wherein the waveguide extends from the upper surface of the magnetic recording head to the NFT, and the NFT is positioned on the surface facing the medium.

5. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 4, wherein the optical grating can direct the optical output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide by about 90 degrees.

6. A magnetic media drive comprising a magnetic recording head assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A magnetic recording head assembly, It is a slider, The media-facing surface and, The upper surface opposite to the media-facing surface, The rear edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, The front edge surface opposite to the aforementioned rear edge surface, An optical grating arranged on the trailing edge surface, A slider comprising a heat sink stud arranged adjacent to the optical grid, A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device being capable of emitting multiple phase-coherent lasers, A magnetic recording head assembly comprising: a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide; and

8. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 7, wherein the optical grating can direct the light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide by about 90 degrees, and the waveguide can direct the output light to the NFT.

9. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 7, wherein the VCSEL device comprises a front surface facing the rear edge surface of the slider and a back surface opposite to the front surface, the first contact pad and the VCSEL array being arranged on the front surface and the second contact pad and the third contact pad being arranged on the back surface.

10. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first contact pad is connected to the heat sink stud, the VCSEL array is aligned with the optical grid, and the second contact pad is connected to the VCSEL array.

11. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 9, wherein the slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads on the rear edge surface, the width of the contact pads being the same as the width of the second and third contact pads on the back surface of the VCSEL device.

12. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 9, wherein the slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads, and the spacing between at least two of the slider contact pads is substantially equal to the spacing between the second contact pad and the third contact pad on the back surface of the VCSEL device.

13. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, the plurality of lasers are emitted through a plurality of laser apertures, and the plurality of laser apertures are arranged in a straight line.

14. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 13, wherein each laser aperture has a size of approximately 1 μm to approximately 10 μm, the output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW, and each laser aperture is spaced at a distance of approximately 2 μm to approximately 20 μm from adjacent laser apertures.

15. A magnetic media drive comprising a magnetic recording head assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 14.

16. A magnetic recording head assembly, It is a slider, The media-facing surface and, The upper surface opposite to the media-facing surface, The rear edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, The front edge surface opposite to the aforementioned rear edge surface, An optical grating arranged on the trailing edge surface, A slider comprising a heat sink stud arranged adjacent to the optical grid, A vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device is A first contact pad disposed on the front surface of the VCSEL device, wherein the front surface of the first contact pad faces the rear edge surface of the slider, A VCSEL device comprising: a VCSEL array positioned adjacent to the first contact pad, having a plurality of laser apertures, and capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser apertures; A magnetic recording head assembly comprising: a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide; and

17. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first contact pad is connected to the heat sink stud, and the VCSEL array is aligned with the optical grid.

18. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 16, wherein the optical grating can direct the light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide by about 90 degrees, and the waveguide can direct the output light to the NFT.

19. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, and the output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW.

20. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of laser apertures are arranged in a straight line, and the plurality of laser apertures consist of 2 to 32 apertures.

21. A magnetic media drive comprising a magnetic recording head assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

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